Project portfolio

M40 Motorway, London–Birmingham, UK

The M40 project was groundbreaking from the start. Unlike many other Design, Build, Finance and Operate schemes, the project company UK Highways took operational responsibility for the existing motorway at the start of the contract rather than at completion of works.

Award of the concession included online widening of the motorway between junctions 1a –3, adding an extra lane of motorway (dual 4 to dual 4) in both directions whilst maintaining the traffic flows. The contract period for the widening of Junctions 1a-3 was 30 months, and for the reconstruction works between Junctions 6-8, 12 months. UK Highways bettered these periods by six and five months respectively.

UK Highways’ scope of responsibilities includes the routine operations and maintenance, network management and the implementation of major maintenance on this motorway for 30 years. This extends to the whole 123km long highway and over 300 structures, which include bridges, culverts and retaining walls.

Traffic measurement loops are placed across carriageways between each junction to determine traffic flow. Data is recorded separately for Heavy Goods Vehicles and cars and used as the basis for the application of shadow tolls. With over 10 years of operational success, the M40 is widely regarded as providing safe and reliable journeys between London and Birmingham.

The management team, which includes John Laing staff, has three maintenance depots located along the length of the M40. The team is able to respond quickly to incidents, whilst planning and implementing the longer-term asset replacement strategy.

Click here to download the M40 project profile

Project	Client	Value	Duration	Status	Business	Sector	Country
M40 Motorway, London–Birmingham, UK	Highways Agency	£90m	30 years	Operational	Roads	UK